Detail of John Horse, from the engraving by N. Orr in Joshua
Giddings' 1858 history, The Exiles of Florida. Orr had also engraved John
Horse for Sprague's history in 1848, yet the two versions have subtle
differences. See a comparison here.

1812

There are no descriptions of John Horse before adolescence, but his appearance, like his name, must have revealed a mixed heritage. Describing him as an adult, white observers classed him as a "Negro" but noted a mixture of ethnic features, including black skin, long and straight black hair, Seminole clothing, tall erect posture, and "just a smile of red blood mantling to his forehead."